9 Energy Firms Support UK University's Energy Transition Research

Nine energy companies are investing around $765,000 (GBP 600,000) to support energy transition research by the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom (UK).

The funding will aid the creation of a new research initiative focused on decarbonizing the oil and gas sector and advancing the shift to clean energy, the university said in a news release. Led by Professor John Underhill, the University’s Director for Energy Transition, the new initiative will focus on “delivering world-class academic research by equipping a new generation of researchers with the skills, knowledge and expertise required to provide energy security yet reduce emissions and decarbonize”.

The companies involved in the initiative are BP, Chevron, CNOOC, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Harbour Energy, Shell, Spirit Energy and TotalEnergies. The funding will support training and PhD studentships as part of a new Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) based in the School of Geosciences.

Underhill explained, “The starting point on the journey to net zero is very challenging as oil and gas still provides three quarters of the UK’s energy needs and finding ways to decarbonize industry at pace while supplementing this activity with carbon storage, wind farms, geothermal and other renewable technologies”.

“In supporting these studentships our funders have sent a strong message about the confidence industry has in the center’s ability to progress the energy transition and support the industry’s shift to a cleaner future,” he continued.

“Being situated in Europe’s energy capital and a city renowned throughout the world for technological development and inspiring solutions, we are best placed and well connected to understand the needs of the industry and make a real difference by offering practical solutions that ensure Britain has the secure and reliable low-carbon energy sources it needs,” Underhill added.

David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), said, “Our sector is proud to support the UK Centre for Doctoral Training. The center can help to create the next generation of experts we need to lead a homegrown energy transition right here in the UK. Skilled people are this sector’s most valuable asset, and it will be exciting to see graduates from this center work on the innovative breakthroughs we need to build our energy future for many years to come”.

Andrew Kulpecz, Chevron General Manager UK Upstream, said “We are proud to join other energy leaders in supporting the University of Aberdeen’s research on the energy transition. Meeting the demand for affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy is critical and as the world transitions to a lower-carbon future, we will need scale, speed, and solutions. At the heart of this will be a pipeline of talent, with the creativity and ingenuity to deliver the lower carbon energy needed today while building the energy system of tomorrow”.

Louise Kingham, BP Senior Vice President, Europe and Head of Country of the UK, said, “BP is backing Britain through the CDT research and education initiatives, to support acceleration of the UK’s net zero ambitions. We have been a part of people’s lives in the UK for more than 100 years. That’s over a century of producing energy, stimulating economic growth, creating jobs and, through our vast supply chain, helping UK companies to prosper. We are proud to support homegrown energy transition solutions like the CDT, furthering business, community and environmental value for the UK and beyond”.

Nicolas Payer, UK Country Chair at TotalEnergies, said, "This kind of partnership approach to research and development is crucial to the UK's energy future. The work done by the CDT supports the development of new ideas in areas including carbon capture and the decarbonization of oil & gas operations, topics we are already progressing but which we need to continually push the boundaries of. The program supports the next generation of the energy industry, right here in Aberdeen, and we are delighted to support it”.

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